NOTICE: Gov. Beebe declares emergency due to Arkansas weather

The governor's office says that combined with additional proclamations, the disaster declaration will ease restrictions on utility crews, fuel haulers and propane deliveries during the wintry storm.

Beebe also released $100,000 from his disaster fund to help with initial response to the storm. And he declared that only essential personnel will report to work at state offices in the Little Rock metropolitan area on Friday. Agency directors and area supervisors will determine who those employees are.

An ice storm warning is in place for a large part of Arkansas from 6 p.m. Thursday until 6 p.m. Friday.